We offer swim lessons through our “Learn to Swim Program” taught by American Red Cross certified staff. We believe that all children need basic aquatic safety and swimming skills. All classes are held at the Walsh Intermediate School 185 Damascus Road (NOTE NEW: enter through door 157) and during the summer months at Hospice Pool, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford. (Please make sure that you park in the parking lot and not in any NO PARKING ZONES). Only the parent and the child will be allowed to attend classes. Each level includes water safety topics & basic water skills. Children must be in a swim diaper if not potty trained. Classes will be held rain or shine and will NOT run if there is thunder or lightning. Parents will not be allowed on deck when their child is taking their lessons. You will be able to watch from the stands.
Parent-Infant/Toddler Aquatics - Level 1: 6 mos. - 3yrs.
Child will be introduced to the water & encouraged to feel comfortable through water play, songs & games. Classes are not designed to teach them to swim or to survive in the water. A parent must be in the water with their child. (Class is 20 mins long).
Parent- Infant/Toddler Aquatics- Level 2: 6 months-3 years:
Level 2 builds on the skills taught in level 1. Skills taught include bubble blowing, safely exiting the water, gliding on front and back, and rolling to back. A parent must be in the water with their child. (Class is 20 mins long)
Preschool Aquatics: 4 & 5 years old
This class is designed to familiarize the child with the water and prepare them for success. Class is designed to build upon and improve skills and increase knowledge of water safety topics and working to combine arm and leg motions on front and back. (Class is 20 mins.)
Level 1: Water Exploration: 6-12yrs.
Students will begin to develop self confidence, good swimming habits & learn safe practices in & around the water.
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatics: 6-12yrs.
Must have successfully completed Level 1. Participants gain success with fundamental skills, including learning how to coordinate arm and leg motions, tread water, and gain confidence swimming independently for further distances.
Level 3: Stroke Development: 6-12yrs.
Must have successfully completed Level 2. Students will build on previous skills as they work on front crawl incorporating rotary breathing and elementary backstroke. Dolphin and sidestroke kicks are introduced along with dives from seated and kneeling positions.
Level 4: Stroke Refinement : 6-12yrs.
Must have successfully completed Level 3. Through additional guided practice and building on previous skills, students will learn or refine strokes including front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, and butterfly. Standing dives are taught from stride and compact positions.
Teen Beginner: 13-18yrs.
For teens who have aged out of our Learn to Swim program & are still looking to work on their basic aquatic & swimming skills (similar class concept to our Adult Beginner swim lessons).